Speedskating chief to investigate why some powers like Canada failed at Sochi Olympics

The International Skating Union is going to investigate why major speedskating nations like the United States, Canada and Norway failed so badly at the Olympics, allowing the Dutch to paint the oval orange.

Netherlands' gold medallist Jorrit Bergsma poses on the podium during the Men's Speed Skating 10000 m Flower Ceremony at the Adler Arena during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 18, 2014.

By:Raf CasertThe Associated Press, Published on Thu Feb 20 2014

The International Skating Union is going to investigate why major speedskating nations like the United States, Canada and Norway failed so badly at the Olympics, allowing the Dutch to paint the oval orange.

ISU President Ottavio Cinquanta said his group wants to know if some countries are “almost sleeping, or what.” The Dutch have won 21 of 30 medals so far. Canada’s Denny Morrison won a silver in the 1,000 metres and a bronze in the 1,500.

Cinquanta acknowledges that domination of this sort by one nation is bad for the sport. He wants to provide federations financial incentives linked to performance.

He says his organization is “available to spend some money, to invest money — not to give money for free, like rain.”